Written in Latin, the pact reflects the administrative practices of the Carolingian court and indicates the new Venetian Republic's geographic boundaries from Cavarzere to Grado.
[1] From a draft translation by Jenny Benham, the Pactum relays information about how the signatories handle refugees, slaves, livestock, trade, naval presence, justice, and more.
[3] The mix of laws in Carolingian Italy enforced by Emperor Lothar I created confusion and division in the empire, making it partly disheveled.
[4] The collapse continued ferociously and makes historians wonder how far back the weaknesses of the Carolingian Empire extended and if it affected the Pactum Lotharii.
[1] Venice sought a defensible internal lagoon and expanded island, while Malamocco tribunes utilized Carolingian alliance against rising families, who were seeking a better geographical base.
West-Harling suggests that the Carolingian attempt at conquering Venice was driven by a need for a specific political organization and support from the Byzantines.
[1] Recent historians have argued that the Republic of Venice had significant influence on politics and commerce, making it crucial to maintain its separate power from Italy.
Venice held much power in the trading market and is one of the reasons why it was so important to renew the Pactum Lotharii in the following years after its creation.
[1] The Pact also came at a time when the Byzantine Empire and the Carolingians had a standing treaty that had been renewed for three decades before the Pactum Lotharii was signed.
While the Treaty of Aachen handed over complete control to the Byzantine Empire, it is not clear if the Pactum Lotharii did the same or if it made Venice its own republic.
[6] The historical significance of the Pactum illustrates an age of immense transformation in the Carolingian Empire, which sought to assert its authority over local and external aggressors.
[1] Lothar I required Venetian Naval support to counteract threats from the North, underlying the importance of maritime alliances in the Middle Ages.
As Lothar sought to consolidate the power of his empire over external entities, strong alliances with key partners such as Venice became necessary for their survival and well-being.
[1] There were militaristic attempts by the Carolingians to acquire Venice from the Byzantine Empire, to increase their foothold in the region and abolish the final holdouts of Byzantium in Italy.
[1] Because of its status as a trade center, the state had immense amounts of power, making it possible for them to negotiate their continued alliance with Byzantium.
Recognizing the historical significance of the Pactum Lotharii can provide valuable insights for modern historians and inform current discussions on medieval Mediterranean policy outcomes.
Furthermore, examining the interconnections of political relations in northern Italy helps researchers to better appreciate the style of governance in the Middle Ages and the lasting impacts it had on Italian and Mediterranean culture.
[1] Although the Pactum Lotharii was penned and originally signed in 840, it held immense influence over the relationship between the Carolingian Empire and the Republic of Venice for centuries to follow.